Traveller Not Tourist
Traveller Not Tourist was conceived on the idea that it is absolutely insane to pay for volunteering. You are already devoting your time and energy, so why have to pay ridiculous sums of money to do it? This is especially a problem in South America, as most volunteer agencies charge an arm and a leg for your services. TNT (Traveller Not Tourist) allows anyone who wants to help, the opportunity to do it. Providing travelers the opportunity to experience true Peruvian reality, by helping in the Arequpian community.
There are two main projects: Casa Hogar Luz Alpa Orphanage and the Villa Chachani Classroom. The orphanage cares for children under the age of 10, who have lost one or both of their parents, been morally or materially abandoned, or who are at high risk of falling to drugs or alcohol. The government happily sends children to the orphanage, but refuses to provide any funding for the project. Therefore, the orphanage solely exists on the kindness of others. Donations keep the doors open, while the kindness of volunteers keep what's inside the doors smiling...the children. Most of the volunteers work at the orphanage, however, myself and a few others, have been given the task of starting up a school in the slum community of Chachani, located on the outskirts of Arequipa.
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Chachani seems like a ghost town for most of the day, as entire families slave away in the rock quarries. Using crude wooden tools to dislodge rocks and sand from the mountain side, the materials are then transported to Arequipa for building materials. Chachani children are unfortunately introduced to this working world far too early, some as young as 5, working in the rock quarries for only 2 soles/day (equivalent to .65 cents USD).
The Chachani community survives well below the poverty line. Homes are constructed of nothing more then rocks with tin roofs anchored down by larger rocks. Lacking plumbing and electricity, the government just recently gave them enough money to install five running water taps, located randomly around town. How drinkable the water is...questionable. Theft and crime are rampant in this area as most "homes" are protected by the family guard dog. Unfortunately though, these dogs are not spade or neutered and have given birth to an entire community of stray dogs. I reckon Chachani has more stray dogs then it does people. Garbage is also a huge problem. Inhabitants are more concerned with where their next meal is coming from, not where they dump their trash. Garbage is spread so evenly around town, you eventually become complacent to it, and accept it as part of the "scenery".
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Children's opportunities are more then limited in Chachani. Hopefully though, by providing a free education, they're chances of getting out increase. Our objectives are to improve the lives of the children by spending quality time with them, keeping them off the streets and providing them with a stimulating environment which they can utilize to improve their motor skills, confidence and social skills. We also hope that the children will grow up with the understanding that foreigners are friends, hopefully cutting down on the violence and robberies that occur against foreigners, working towards a more peaceful Peru.
Check out the next blog, "Chachani Classroom". ©
Check out the next blog, "Chachani Classroom". ©